 As the warming rays of the sun have returned the green to the lawns and countryside even earlier than usual this year, it is common to see more people out running. Our Great Plains Lutheran spring season athletes can frequently be spotted running their miles in order to increase their stamina and endurance for their chosen competitions.
It sounds to me from Scripture that the Apostle Paul was well acquainted with the world of athletics in his Greek-culture dominated day. He penned these words in 1 Corinthians 9:24, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” The Holy Spirit-inspired Apostle instructs us to “Run for the prize” of the crown of eternal life which Jesus has won for us at the cross and has assured for us by His Easter morning resurrection. This prize is purely because of His amazing grace!
“Run for the Prize!” is also the theme for a special expression of thanks to our LORD here at Great Plains Lutheran High School. Perhaps you have heard that Mr. Greg Diersen will soon be concluding his ministry here at GPLHS, since our LORD has led him to accept the Divine Call to serve as a professor in the science department of Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota, our WELS College of Ministry. Mr. Diersen has been privileged to teach Jesus’ Gospel to the lives of scores of students and others in his ministry throughout the entire history of GPLHS. That privilege will now continue at MLC as he helps to train future full-time Gospel servants for ministry to our Savior and His people.
In gratitude for Mr. Diersen’s 16 years of instructing and inspiring “Panthers” to run the race with Jesus on the way to eternity, we are planning to establish a scholarship fund in his honor and add a piece of equipment of his choosing to our science lab. We are asking those of you who have directly benefited by his ministry here (our alumni and their parents) to participate in this effort.
Our goal is to receive $16,000 in honor of Mr. Diersen’s 16 years of service at GPLHS, with $10,000 for the named scholarship and $6,000 for science lab equipment. Please consider sharing a thank offering gift of any amount the Holy Spirit moves your heart to give. You might consider a gift in an increment of 16---$16, $92, $128, $160, $1600, or create your own number. You may give this one-time gift using the enclosed envelope. If you would like to make a recurring gift each month, please check the giving options on our website: gplhs.org.
Mr. Diersen’s ministry here at GPLHS has encouraged numerous students and others to “Run for the Prize” of Jesus’ gift of eternal life through the powerful Word of our LORD. This gifting effort will help others to be daily in contact with that Word of God to equip them to “Run for the Prize!”
We want to reach our “Run for the Prize!” goal of $16,000 by graduation, May 19th. Your gift will move us closer to that goal. Our entire student body, faculty, and staff thank you for your partnership in the Gospel ministry of GPLHS, of which Mr. Diersen has been a part since GPLHS opened in 1996! We invite you to join in our graduation service at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 19.
May Jesus’ resurrection victory continually fill your heart with joy and peace!
Because He lives,
Pastor Randy Bader
Great Plains Lutheran High School Mission Advancement Director
P. S. Recurring monthly or quarterly gifts can easily be arranged to continue to grow the Diersen GPLHS Scholarship Fund. Feel free to contact me at (605)868-4237 or rbader@gplhs.org for more information. Dollars received which exceed our goal will also be added to the Diersen GPLHS Scholarship Fund.
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